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Old 05-28-2022, 01:12 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Help me decide part 2

So my main contenders are

2004 30' bus with t444e and allison 2000

Vs

2000 26' dt466e and likely at 545. This one is out of state so Im waiting for a mobile mechanic to inspect and verify trans.

I know very little about either engine but seems like the at2000 would be a lot better choice. Any thoughts?

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Old 05-28-2022, 01:49 PM   #2
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both are respectable motors and the 444 is the same as the 7.3 ford powerstroke in there diesel trucks.
you dont mention the tranny behind that one but i would say regardless of tranny as it sets its underpowered for our purpose without upgrades.
the 466 is better for the purpose especially in a shorter bus regardless of transmission.
its been awhile but i thought the 545 dropped out before 2000?
it all really comes down to what HP and TRANNY that school district specified for that bus.
i have one that is 175hp with 6.3 gears and i have a shorty that not limited at all because it was specified to be an interstate bus and it wants every bit of it and more.
long story short i didnt have the resource i have now so my big bus does 49mph for now.
my wifes little bus i have had up to 89 on the interstate bringing it home and it wanted more.
what the bus was speced for from the school distict is what you get.
buying from a more mountaneous county will likley get you a higher HP engine and tranny. buying from a county that puts there buses through interstate and hills might include a desireable combination as well.
anything not controlled by computer you need to know rear end gearing and tire size as well.
i hope i didnt put to much on your plate.
be patient.
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Old 05-28-2022, 02:45 PM   #3
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Interesting choice. Jolley Roger laid it out pretty well. A lot could be discussed concerning the choice between those 2 engines but the dt466 is generally considered to be superior for a number of reasons beyond HP. The size difference between the 2 buses is pretty much a wash. For me if all else was equal I'd have to go with the Allison 2000. There are too many threads about problems with the at545.
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Old 05-28-2022, 07:31 PM   #4
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Id rather have the at 2000 than the 545 but it doesnt seem like an option with what is available right now.

My impression is the t444e is going to need more and more expensive repairs? As well as potentially shorter life span.
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Old 05-28-2022, 08:12 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Desertsparky View Post
Id rather have the at 2000 than the 545 but it doesnt seem like an option with what is available right now.

My impression is the t444e is going to need more and more expensive repairs? As well as potentially shorter life span.
Did one engine have better maintenance? Did one engine idle more? Did one spend most of its time on the highway while the other did mostly start and stop? It's pretty tough to make an informed decision unless you have all the maintenance records for both buses.

The dt466 is an inline 6 with sleeves. An inline 6 has wider rod bearings than a v-8. Both are advantages. (Just to name a couple things) But I might rather have a low mileage, well maintained t444e than a poorly maintained, high mileage dt466. Especially if the t444e had an Allison 2000 while the dt466 had an at545.
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Old 05-28-2022, 08:32 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Oldyeller View Post
Did one engine have better maintenance? Did one engine idle more? Did one spend most of its time on the highway while the other did mostly start and stop? It's pretty tough to make an informed decision unless you have all the maintenance records for both buses.

The dt466 is an inline 6 with sleeves. An inline 6 has wider rod bearings than a v-8. Both are advantages. (Just to name a couple things) But I might rather have a low mileage, well maintained t444e than a poorly maintained, high mileage dt466. Especially if the t444e had an Allison 2000 while the dt466 had an at545.
Dt466 has 170k has been sitting for at least 6 months that I know of and owned by a private school.

T444e has 227k is already in private ownership and partially stripped. Has been used all across the western us for travel. Pictures and video seem to show a fairly sound vehicle.
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Old 05-28-2022, 08:51 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Desertsparky View Post
Dt466 has 170k has been sitting for at least 6 months that I know of and owned by a private school.

T444e has 227k is already in private ownership and partially stripped. Has been used all across the western us for travel. Pictures and video seem to show a fairly sound vehicle.
I'd take a bus owned by a school over a privately owned one. Ask for a video of the bus running at full temp idling and have them show if any smoke or oil are belching out of the blowby tube. Every 444E I've seen in a bus with that kind of miles/use has a good bit of it.
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Old 05-28-2022, 09:45 PM   #8
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I got a video of the engine start and exhaust looks clear on the t444e
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Old 05-28-2022, 09:51 PM   #9
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I'd take a bus owned by a school over a privately owned one. Ask for a video of the bus running at full temp idling and have them show if any smoke or oil are belching out of the blowby tube. Every 444E I've seen in a bus with that kind of miles/use has a good bit of it.
Yea, a bus with a dt466 with 170k miles might be a better choice.
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Old 05-28-2022, 10:17 PM   #10
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Also forgot the t444e is air brakes and suspension
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Old 05-28-2022, 10:42 PM   #11
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I got a video of the engine start and exhaust looks clear on the t444e
The blowby tube is a good indicator of age/use. Its by the oil pan its a rubber tube going down.
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